In the operating theatre

Prior to the Second World War, gynaecological surgery fell within the province of the general surgeon, who confined himself to the removal of large pelvic tumours, with or without the uterus, and to the repair of damage caused by prolonged labours or traumatic deliveries. However, during the immediate post-war years, gynaecology emerged as a separate subject and was linked with midwifery, to be recognised as obstetrics and gynaecology.

This change was facilitated by the establishment in London of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, which laid down rules for the training, examination and graduation of those doctors who specialised in this subject. In medical schools it was then taught as a separate part of the curriculum to be undertaken in the later stages of the course and incorporated in the Final Examination with medicine and surgery.

In these early years, London was the principal teaching centre where the leading exponents of the subject worked in famous teaching hospitals and names like Victor Bonney, Comyns Berkeley and “Joe”Wrigley were attracting attention from all over the world. Bonney, in particular, was notable for his book which described the full range of gynaecological operative procedures, beautifully illustrated with pencil drawings by his own hand.

When Donald came to the Chair in Glasgow in 1954, he was fortunate to have been trained and to have worked with these famous men.